Single women give Obama an edge in poll

President Obama’s popularity among unmarried women propels him to a 3-point lead over presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in a Quinnipiac University national poll released Wednesday.

Mr. Obama leads Mr. Romney 46 percent to 43 percent overall, based largely on a 2-to-1 advantage among single women. The poll found that married voters support Mr. Romney, 51 percent to 38 percent.

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“Although much has been made about the gender gap and how President Barack Obama’s lead among women fuels his campaign, the marriage gap is actually larger and more telling,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

He said the marriage gap may be related to different priorities of married and single voters.

“Married people are more likely to be older, more financially secure and more socially conservative than unmarried voters,” Mr. Brown said. “Married voters are more likely to focus on the economy and health care, while single voters are more focused on issues such as gay rights and reproductive issues.”

The poll was conducted from July 1 to 8 and surveyed 2,722 registered voters nationwide. Its margin of error is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.

Question of the Day

Does President Obama love America?

About the Author

Dave Boyer is a White House correspondent for The Washington Times. A native of Allentown, Pa., Boyer worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 2002 to 2011 and also has covered Congress for the Times. He is a graduate of Penn State University. Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.